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China Expands Unilateral Free-Visa Policy to 38 Countries.

China’s Foreign Ministry has announced to extend its Unilateral Free Visa Policy to nine more countries, making it a total of 38. 

Citizens of these 38 countries are exempt from visas to enter and stay in China for no longer than 30 days for Business, Tourism, Family Visits, Exchange Visits, and Transit Purposes. 

Previously, citizens of 29 European, Asian, and Oceania countries were provided with a Unilateral Free-Visa policy, with a 15-day limitation of stay. The new Free-Visa policy will be implemented from November 30, 2024, to December 21, 2025. 

The recent additions to the existing list are: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan.

38 Countries Eligible for China’s Unilateral Free-Visa Policy.

The list of the country that China has expanded Unilateral Free-Visa Policy are:

 

  • Andorra
  • Latvia
  • Australia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Austria
  • Luxembourg
  • Belgium
  • Malaysia
  • Brunei
  • Malta
  • Bulgaria
  • Monaco
  • Croatia
  • Montenegro
  • Cyprus
  • Netherlands
  • Denmark
  • New Zealand
  • Estonia
  • North Macedonia
  • Finland
  • Norway
  • France
  • Poland
  • Germany
  • Portugal
  • Greece
  • Romania
  • Hungary
  • Slovakia
  • Iceland
  • Slovenia
  • Ireland
  • South Korea
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Japan
  • Switzerland

 

 

Chinese Authority on the expansion of Unilateral Visa-Free policy to 38 Countries.

“To promote exchanges between China and other countries, China has decided to expand the list of visa-free nations. From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, it will implement a visa-free policy on an experimental basis for ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan” says Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

Chinese Diplomacy also adds the nation has decided to include exchange visits as a purpose for visa exemptions and increase the number of visa-free stay periods from the current 15-Day to 30-Day, facilitating the probable visitors from the above-mentioned 38 countries. 

Chinese Authority aims to facilitate and boost tourism and business travel to China with this visa-free policy. 

In the third quarter of 2024, China welcomed 8.19 million foreign visitors, which is a whopping 48.8% increase compared to the previous year. Out of 8.19 million foreign visitors, 4.89 million visits were under this category of visa, which is 78.6% on up year-on-year basis, according to the data from the National Immigration Administration published in Mid-October. 

What does this Visa-Free Policy mean for Tourists?

For travelers from the above-mentioned 38 countries, it means that the travel to China got a whole lot easier.

Now, any citizens from the above-mentioned 38 countries don’t need to pay a 125 USD Visa fee and follow a lengthy and complicated visa documentation process to travel to China. However, the purpose of the visit is limited to Tourism, Exchange Visits, Family visits, Transit Purposes, and Business. 

Now traveling to China is as easy as packing the bags, booking a ticket, and flying to China.

However, one thing to consider is that this visa-free policy doesn’t let tourists visit restricted areas of China like the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

To visit Tibet tourists are required to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, which is a military permit. This permit can only be acquired upon booking a Tibet Travel Package itinerary through a registered travel company

Breakfree Adventures operates several enriching Tibet Travel package itineraries at the cheapest prices without compromising quality service. We can acquire you a Tibet Travel Permit before you get to China so that no buffer days are required if you are from the above-mentioned 38 Countries eligible for a Visa-Free policy. 

Tribhuvan International Airport Enforces Reduced Nightly Flight Hours for Enhancement Project

Tribhuvan International Airport Enforces Reduced Nightly Flight Hours for Enhancement Project

Starting November 8, 2024, Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will undergo significant changes in its operation hours. The airport will remain closed from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM daily until April 2025 to facilitate the expansion under the Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project, as stated by Dipendra Shrestha, the project director. The project, with a budget of Rs. 15 billion, aims to modernize the airport, reduce congestion, and enhance Nepal’s overall air transport capacity.

If you’re planning to travel to or from Kathmandu in the coming months, this development may impact your travel plans. Here’s everything you need to know.

 

What Is the Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project?

The Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project is a large-scale initiative aimed at upgrading TIA’s infrastructure to accommodate the increasing number of flights and passengers. The project includes:

  • Construction of a parallel taxiway to the existing runway, which will significantly improve aircraft movement efficiency.
  • Expansion of the international apron to the north to accommodate more aircraft, especially during peak hours.
  • Expansion of the hanger apron to the east, allowing for better space utilization for maintenance and parking.

With a total investment of Rs. 15 billion, the project is expected to bring TIA on par with other modern airports in the region. However, to ensure smooth and uninterrupted construction, airport authorities have decided to halt all flight operations during the mentioned hours.

Impact of Nightly Closures on Flight Operations

Previously, TIA operated from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily, handling a high volume of flights from early morning until late at night. However, with the new schedule in place, the airport will now only be operational for 14 hours a day. This reduction in operating hours is likely to have the following impacts:

  • No flights between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM: All international and domestic flights scheduled during these hours will need to be rescheduled, potentially leading to adjustments in flight timings.
  • Increased flight congestion: With fewer operational hours, the airport will handle the same number of flights within a shorter time window, possibly causing delays and congestion during peak hours.
  • Reduction in the total number of flights: The closure could lead to a decrease in the total number of flights, as airlines may find it challenging to accommodate all their schedules within the limited time frame.

Government’s Plan to Mitigate Congestion

To address the potential congestion at TIA, the government has proceeded with an action plan to operate two other international airports in Nepal to their maximum capacity. The government has introduced an attractive package of incentives, including concessions for airlines, to encourage using the two airports, which have struggled to attract regular international flights since their launch.

  • Pokhara International Airport
  • Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa)

Both airports are expected to operate at full capacity to ease the pressure off Kathmandu’s air traffic. This move is anticipated to provide more flight options for travelers, especially those heading to the western and central parts of Nepal. However, as these airports are still in the early phases of becoming major international hubs, passengers may face limited connectivity compared to TIA.

19 Domestic Airlines and 11 Helicopter Operators operated around 300 domestic flights, and 30 International carriers operated 100 international flights to and from Tribhuvan International Airport while it was being operated at its full capacity previously.

These airlines will need to adjust their schedules to comply with the new operating hours, and passengers should expect possible changes to their flight itineraries.

What This Means for Travelers.

If you are planning a trip to or from Kathmandu during the construction period, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Check your flight schedules: Airlines may adjust their flight timings to accommodate the new operating hours. Be sure to confirm your flight details well in advance to avoid surprises.
  • Expect delays: With the reduced operational window, there could be increased congestion during peak times, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.
  • Consider alternate airports: If you’re traveling to regions near Pokhara or Bhairahawa, consider flying directly to these airports instead of transiting through Kathmandu.
  • Book early: With fewer flights operating, seats may be limited, especially during the busy tourist season. Booking in advance can help secure your preferred travel dates.

Final Thoughts on Reduction of Flight Hours.

While the nightly closure of TIA may cause some inconvenience to travelers in the short term, the Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project is an essential step toward modernizing Nepal’s aviation infrastructure. Once completed, these upgrades will significantly enhance the efficiency and capacity of TIA, allowing it to better serve the increasing number of tourists visiting Nepal.

For the latest updates on flight schedules and travel advisories, keep in touch with your airline or visit the official website of Tribhuvan International Airport. As always, we at Breakfree Adventures are here to help you navigate these changes and ensure a smooth travel experience.

Contact Us 

For assistance with your travel plans or to explore alternate routes through Pokhara or Bhairahawa, reach out to us at Breakfree Adventures. We can arrange airport pickup and drop services from and to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. We’re here to provide personalized guidance to ensure your journey to Nepal remains as seamless as possible.